Ian McKellen Admits to Ripping Pages from The Bible - Popcast | Entertainment

Legendary British actor Ian McKellen opens up in a revealing interview with Details magazine about the ‘annoyance’ of bearing the title of Sir, hand-holding with “Lord of the Rings” co-star Elijah Wood, and ripping pages out of the bible to make it more gay-friendly.

The soon-to-be 70-year-old explains that the seemingly oh-so-special title of “Sir,” isn’t all it’s cracked up to be for him.

“It's actually more of an annoyance, that title,” he says. “And I don't think I'm a saint.”

When McKellen, who came out of the closet at age 49, was asked if he’s ever wanted to get married, the response was simple.

“It's never crossed my mind that it'd ever be possible for me,” he said.

He doesn’t hesitate to confirm rumors that he tears the pages of Leviticus 18:22 out of copies of The Bible in his hotel rooms either. (The chapter deals with a number of sexual activities that are considered to be abominable, including homosexuality.)

“I do, absolutely. I'm not proudly defacing the book,” he says, “But it's a choice between removing that page and throwing away the whole Bible.”




McKellen has a huge portfolio of acting work, but realizes he’ll most likely be tied to the Gandalf character for the rest of his life. And his after-life for that matter.

“I'm well aware that when I go,” he says, “the London Evening Standard billboard is going to say, ‘Gandalf Dies.’”

That’s something he’s OK with, adding, “And you could say I've missed out on having kids but I've grandfathered so many children through the role.”

One of those who he likely considers family is none other than Elijah Wood — Frodo of the “Lord of the Rings" series.

McKellen reveals he has a tattoo of the number nine, in elvish (there are nine members in “The Fellowship of the Ring”). He doesn’t remember the pain, but recalls Wood by his side, holding his hand the entire time.



“So I have lots of young friends, who fortunately don't treat me as a guru, a person that knows all the answers,” he says. “I'm just one of the gang — trying to get through it, you know?”

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Message Edited by Victor_Balta on 11-02-2009 02:30 PM